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The Hanging Bones
From the author of What Wakes the Bells comes a rich, gothic fantasy about a girl who enters a dangerous, magical hunt with the goal of winning the death of her predatory overlord. Perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Maggie Stiefvater, and V.E. Schwab.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.
Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize—if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.
Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.
When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.
Some monsters are born. Some are made. All can be killed.
Once every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises. From beyond its pale glow steps the Breimar Stag, an otherworldly creature with eyes of burning gold. Any reckless adventurer who chooses to join the hunt for the stag only has until the Scavenge Moon sets to claim their prize—if they catch it, they are granted the death of any person of their choice. And if no one catches it, the stag will claim one of the hunters' souls instead.
Katrin has lived on the border of the forest her whole life, raised on tales of the Folk that dwell within. As a gamekeeper for the baron who rules over the region, she is saddled with the onerous task of escorting the entitled nobles who descend upon her home for the Breimar Hunt. None of them respect the forest or its legends, and Katrin is only too happy to let them risk their foolish necks for what they see as a cheap thrill.
When her beloved cousin becomes the latest target of the baron's lecherous appetites, Katrin knows only his death will keep her family safe, and the only way she can claim his life is to win the hunt herself. But something hungry has begun to stir in the woods, something even older and more powerful than the stag. As the horrifying, mutilated bodies pile up, Katrin begins to question where the true danger lies.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Elle Tesch
4 books179 followersElle Tesch has lived just east of Vancouver, British Columbia her entire life. Surrounded by forests and mountains, it was inevitable that she would daydream about what might lurk in those trees. When not lost in imaginary worlds, Elle can be found doting on her dog and plants, reading whatever she can get her hands on, wrestling with her current cross-stitch project, or getting way too invested in a video game.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 2, 2026
This was fantastic. The Hanging Bones somehow manages to have such wonderful world building, even though we’re in one location for the entirety of the book. The folklore of the Wielinde forest was so richly developed, the creatures inhabiting it coming to life in my mind with ease. While there is a love story, it’s mainly a side story, and it isn’t involving our main protagonist, Katrin! While I do adore love stories, it’s so refreshing every once in a while to see a protagonist who has no interest in romance whatsoever.
Every few years, the Hunt begins. When the Scavenger Moon rises, the Breimar Stag appears in the Wielinde Forest. Whoever kills him will be granted a wish, but if he remains uncaught, he’ll take a life of his choosing. Katrin, a gamekeeper, usually acts as a guide for the spoiled nobles who partake in the hunt. This year, however, she’s determined to be the predator, while the lecherous baron she works for is her prey.
But dying animals start appearing in the most mysterious state. Missing bones, organs, cleanly scooped out. Baron August and the stag aren’t the only monsters that stalk this forest, and it’s up to Katrin and her new friend Elias to stop this new threat in its tracks.
Thank you so much to Feiwel and Friends and Netgalley for the e-arc! The Hanging Bones releases on May 12!
Every few years, the Hunt begins. When the Scavenger Moon rises, the Breimar Stag appears in the Wielinde Forest. Whoever kills him will be granted a wish, but if he remains uncaught, he’ll take a life of his choosing. Katrin, a gamekeeper, usually acts as a guide for the spoiled nobles who partake in the hunt. This year, however, she’s determined to be the predator, while the lecherous baron she works for is her prey.
But dying animals start appearing in the most mysterious state. Missing bones, organs, cleanly scooped out. Baron August and the stag aren’t the only monsters that stalk this forest, and it’s up to Katrin and her new friend Elias to stop this new threat in its tracks.
Thank you so much to Feiwel and Friends and Netgalley for the e-arc! The Hanging Bones releases on May 12!
May 22, 2026
4.25/5 stars
wished some parts of the creepy forest lore was more developed but this was still a great and dark fucking read because the villain here is straight up despicable, evil, and bone-chilling scary. also HELLOOOO THE FMC IS AROACE?? i appreciate how being aroace is very important to her despite people not taking her seriously about that except her loved ones but despite that she has so much love to give for her family and friends and would do anything to protect them... she went through too much she deserves to sh00t snobby and rude rich people at least twice a day 🤷🏽♀️
wished some parts of the creepy forest lore was more developed but this was still a great and dark fucking read because the villain here is straight up despicable, evil, and bone-chilling scary. also HELLOOOO THE FMC IS AROACE?? i appreciate how being aroace is very important to her despite people not taking her seriously about that except her loved ones but despite that she has so much love to give for her family and friends and would do anything to protect them... she went through too much she deserves to sh00t snobby and rude rich people at least twice a day 🤷🏽♀️
May 19, 2026
Thank you MacMillan Audio for the alc
4.5⭐
This was soooo good.
The beast was a scary and fun thing to learn about. I thought the way it hunted and what it was hunting for was such a fun twist.
I haven't had a villain that I've actually hated with every single bones in my body in a long time.
4.5⭐
This was soooo good.
The beast was a scary and fun thing to learn about. I thought the way it hunted and what it was hunting for was such a fun twist.
I haven't had a villain that I've actually hated with every single bones in my body in a long time.
June 3, 2026
**My thanks to MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
2 stars
I can admit, some of what I disliked about this book has more to do with me as a reader in 2026. I don’t want to read about a rich, privileged man who sexually abuses young girls and easily gets away with it because he’s wealthy and powerful—I get enough of that by turning on the news. However, I also have complaints about the characters and story structure that would hold true regardless.
My number one complaint is a spoiler: This makes for an extremely unsatisfying conclusion to the book.
Non-spoiler complaints: I was frustrated by the main character, Katrin, and especially one of her defining traits/actions, which is her protectiveness over her cousin/basically-a-sister, Alma. While she frames it in her narration as love for her cousin, the way she acts around and speaks of Alma shows that she has no respect for her at all. She does not allow her cousin to know any information or make any choices about her own safety in order to protect Alma’s ‘innocence,’ which is deeply patronizing and rubbed me entirely the wrong way. She’s also short-tempered and impulsive, which you could say is making her a realistic teenager with raging hormones and poor impulse control, but which given the context in which these outbursts are made should be coming back to bite her and her loved ones significantly more; half the actions she takes to protect and defend her loved ones would and should put them in significantly more danger.
The book is upper YA, verging on New Adult, and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger teens. Older readers may like it if they adore a rebellious, rage-filled protagonist and dark fairy tale influence.
2 stars
I can admit, some of what I disliked about this book has more to do with me as a reader in 2026. I don’t want to read about a rich, privileged man who sexually abuses young girls and easily gets away with it because he’s wealthy and powerful—I get enough of that by turning on the news. However, I also have complaints about the characters and story structure that would hold true regardless.
My number one complaint is a spoiler: This makes for an extremely unsatisfying conclusion to the book.
Non-spoiler complaints: I was frustrated by the main character, Katrin, and especially one of her defining traits/actions, which is her protectiveness over her cousin/basically-a-sister, Alma. While she frames it in her narration as love for her cousin, the way she acts around and speaks of Alma shows that she has no respect for her at all. She does not allow her cousin to know any information or make any choices about her own safety in order to protect Alma’s ‘innocence,’ which is deeply patronizing and rubbed me entirely the wrong way. She’s also short-tempered and impulsive, which you could say is making her a realistic teenager with raging hormones and poor impulse control, but which given the context in which these outbursts are made should be coming back to bite her and her loved ones significantly more; half the actions she takes to protect and defend her loved ones would and should put them in significantly more danger.
The book is upper YA, verging on New Adult, and I wouldn’t recommend it for younger teens. Older readers may like it if they adore a rebellious, rage-filled protagonist and dark fairy tale influence.
May 12, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!
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✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This was a unique, dark read that had an interesting concept and lots of feminine rage, but ultimately it fell short for me.
I loved the gothic, dark atmosphere and elements of folk horror woven into both the story and setting. The world building was well done overall, and the author did a great job building tension over the course of the book.
I loved the ace/aro representation and thought that it was tastefully explored via Katrin’s POV. I also enjoyed some of the side characters, especially the little sweetling Elias.
However, this book completely lost me when it came to the main villain, and considering the plot revolves around him and the main character’s vengeance toward them, there was no getting around it. The Baron had a severe lack of character development, and every scene he is in he is trying to r*pe the main character. There were at least three scenes of attempted assault in just the first half of this book. This is on the trigger warnings list and I knew to expect it, so I’m not angry it was there. But I need more to a character other than he’s just a ridiculously evil rapist who is relentlessly pursuing this one girl. Her being the only girl he can’t have isn’t enough of a reason for him to be tormenting her every single time he sees her.
Overall, I can’t recommend this one unless character development isn’t essential for you.
✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
Narrated by Kristin Atherton, I knew this would be a treat on audio. Her performance was perfect for the dark, gothic tone, and she did a great job portraying the range of emotions felt by the relatively large cast of characters. I highly recommend the audio for this!
✦ 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✦
Check trigger warnings - this has dark themes and gore
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✄----------
Rating: 2 Stars
Genre: YA, Gothic, Dark Fantasy
✄----------
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•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
This was a unique, dark read that had an interesting concept and lots of feminine rage, but ultimately it fell short for me.
I loved the gothic, dark atmosphere and elements of folk horror woven into both the story and setting. The world building was well done overall, and the author did a great job building tension over the course of the book.
I loved the ace/aro representation and thought that it was tastefully explored via Katrin’s POV. I also enjoyed some of the side characters, especially the little sweetling Elias.
However, this book completely lost me when it came to the main villain, and considering the plot revolves around him and the main character’s vengeance toward them, there was no getting around it. The Baron had a severe lack of character development, and every scene he is in he is trying to r*pe the main character. There were at least three scenes of attempted assault in just the first half of this book. This is on the trigger warnings list and I knew to expect it, so I’m not angry it was there. But I need more to a character other than he’s just a ridiculously evil rapist who is relentlessly pursuing this one girl. Her being the only girl he can’t have isn’t enough of a reason for him to be tormenting her every single time he sees her.
Overall, I can’t recommend this one unless character development isn’t essential for you.
✦ 𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 ✦
Narrated by Kristin Atherton, I knew this would be a treat on audio. Her performance was perfect for the dark, gothic tone, and she did a great job portraying the range of emotions felt by the relatively large cast of characters. I highly recommend the audio for this!
✦ 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✦
Check trigger warnings - this has dark themes and gore
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✄----------
Rating: 2 Stars
Genre: YA, Gothic, Dark Fantasy
✄----------
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Want to Read
September 20, 2025folklore inspired gothic fantasy, i am sat...
June 30, 2026
DNF at 17%.
The atmosphere is chef's kiss. Love the dark gothic vibes...the hanging bones in the trees...the give and take with the fae. But that's about where it stopped for me and I want to cry because I was so excited for this.
So let's break it down:
- FMC is supposed to be a skilled hunter under the tutelage of her uncle who has been at it far longer. Not only did they NOT dress the bear when it was already going to be overwhelmingly heavy to get it back to town to examine, they also didn't realize when loading the bear into the cart that it didn't have ribs or a spine? Dude. That body would have FLOPPED and BENT and DONE WEIRD THINGS THAT BODIES DON'T DO because skeletons are literally our FRAMES. But fine. We'll ignore it for dramatics.
- The baron felt extremely scripted. Yes, I get he's an asshole. Yes, I get he preys on women because he feels he has the right. But...like...you couldn't have made it seem a bit more natural? I dunno. It rubbed me the wrong way but might not seem that way to others.
- I was SO HERE for the aro/ace rep! Finally, a book with an FMC like me! But I dunno. This also felt a little over the top as well. Maybe it's just me?
- The straw that broke the camel's back was when she decided to enter the hunt. Yes, it's literally in the overview and is one of the reasons I picked this up. But with my problems with the way the baron is written anyway, I'm just like, "excuse me? That seems overdramatic." Like. I literally think poison would be such an easier way to get to him with how he's written. Or even letting him get skewered during the hunt because he's entering it. HE CAN'T HANDLE HIMSELF. LET HIM GET HIMSELF KILLED.
I think a lot of this is just me so take it with a grain of salt.
The atmosphere is chef's kiss. Love the dark gothic vibes...the hanging bones in the trees...the give and take with the fae. But that's about where it stopped for me and I want to cry because I was so excited for this.
So let's break it down:
- FMC is supposed to be a skilled hunter under the tutelage of her uncle who has been at it far longer. Not only did they NOT dress the bear when it was already going to be overwhelmingly heavy to get it back to town to examine, they also didn't realize when loading the bear into the cart that it didn't have ribs or a spine? Dude. That body would have FLOPPED and BENT and DONE WEIRD THINGS THAT BODIES DON'T DO because skeletons are literally our FRAMES. But fine. We'll ignore it for dramatics.
- The baron felt extremely scripted. Yes, I get he's an asshole. Yes, I get he preys on women because he feels he has the right. But...like...you couldn't have made it seem a bit more natural? I dunno. It rubbed me the wrong way but might not seem that way to others.
- I was SO HERE for the aro/ace rep! Finally, a book with an FMC like me! But I dunno. This also felt a little over the top as well. Maybe it's just me?
- The straw that broke the camel's back was when she decided to enter the hunt. Yes, it's literally in the overview and is one of the reasons I picked this up. But with my problems with the way the baron is written anyway, I'm just like, "excuse me? That seems overdramatic." Like. I literally think poison would be such an easier way to get to him with how he's written. Or even letting him get skewered during the hunt because he's entering it. HE CAN'T HANDLE HIMSELF. LET HIM GET HIMSELF KILLED.
I think a lot of this is just me so take it with a grain of salt.
October 25, 2025
The beginning of this story was rather slow. While it came across very descriptive, there seemed to be an abundance of frivolous narrative. It seemed as though we could have reached the same conclusion without the many overwritten statements. The world thats being built also, somehow, seems too small. I do find it confusing how a whole town and castle can know about the creatures that lurk in the forest and they apparently do not exsist anywhere else in the world, yet no one is confused, shocked by, or studying these creatures. This girl merely knows so much because she hunts in the forest so much, as its her job as gamekeeper. The story picks up, though, as soon as the hunt begins. The readers are lead on a dark adventure of revenge and redemption in the days leading up to the Scavenge Moon. The grand finale will leave you satisfied you pushed through the finish the book.
The atmosphere and graphic visuals of this book are superb and really help to immerse you in the story. I did love the gothic depiction of the street lined with trees with bones hanging along them, offerings for the creatures of the wood. This was a slow but satisfying read. I did not find myself unable to put it down until I reached closer to the end but it was intriguing enough to keep be curious and entertained. The Hanging Bones is definitely a dark but cozy tale, perfect to curl up with on a dark spooky fall day.
The atmosphere and graphic visuals of this book are superb and really help to immerse you in the story. I did love the gothic depiction of the street lined with trees with bones hanging along them, offerings for the creatures of the wood. This was a slow but satisfying read. I did not find myself unable to put it down until I reached closer to the end but it was intriguing enough to keep be curious and entertained. The Hanging Bones is definitely a dark but cozy tale, perfect to curl up with on a dark spooky fall day.
June 4, 2026
Hello! If you're reading this, it means ARCs are finally going out for BONES and this will be my last time on this page. A few things before I go:
1. This has some heavier themes than BELLS does, so please make sure to check my website for the content warnings.
2. I want to clarify that this is not a retelling or based on any particular Germanic folklore, but it is heavily inspired by the horror of them.
I hope you enjoy my "what happens if you choose the bear, then use the bear to end a man" book!
1. This has some heavier themes than BELLS does, so please make sure to check my website for the content warnings.
2. I want to clarify that this is not a retelling or based on any particular Germanic folklore, but it is heavily inspired by the horror of them.
I hope you enjoy my "what happens if you choose the bear, then use the bear to end a man" book!
May 22, 2026
Very entertaining! I’m so glad when I find YA books that I truly enjoy since most of the time I feel like I’ve outgrown them. This one was unique, mysterious, and very engaging from start to finish.
Katrin who’s a huntress enters a deadly hunt to save her cousin from the evil ruler. Apart from the fact that she’s at the brink of death, with no assurance for the safety of her family, a more ancient and deadly threat appears causing havocs. Will she survive? Will she be able to save herself and her family from this evil twist?
I loved Katrin a lot! She’s a protector through and through and is also smart. In every step of the way, she’s so courageous and there were so many times I myself wanted to help the poor girl! I absolutely hated the baron and the story telling was so good in a way I just could not digest when he appeared. The story was very entertaining with no boring moments and the plot twists are so good too! I loved the mythical eerie fantasy elements which is well written and made me feel like I’m in the hunt myself!
I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic! Dramatic with great storytelling!
Will definitely recommend! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
Katrin who’s a huntress enters a deadly hunt to save her cousin from the evil ruler. Apart from the fact that she’s at the brink of death, with no assurance for the safety of her family, a more ancient and deadly threat appears causing havocs. Will she survive? Will she be able to save herself and her family from this evil twist?
I loved Katrin a lot! She’s a protector through and through and is also smart. In every step of the way, she’s so courageous and there were so many times I myself wanted to help the poor girl! I absolutely hated the baron and the story telling was so good in a way I just could not digest when he appeared. The story was very entertaining with no boring moments and the plot twists are so good too! I loved the mythical eerie fantasy elements which is well written and made me feel like I’m in the hunt myself!
I listened to the audio and the narration was fantastic! Dramatic with great storytelling!
Will definitely recommend! Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All thoughts my own.
June 24, 2026
**Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC; all opinions are my own.**
4⭐️
🎧
This was a very dark YA fantasy- dark enough that I was a little hesitant to keep listening as the FMC is constantly under threat of sexual violence from the main antagonist of the story. However, it did give me similar vibes to Princess Mononoke (which is my favorite Studio Ghibli film), so I pushed on. There are forest folk, and a strange new forest beast causing havoc, and a fun cast of characters. Overall I really enjoyed listening and the narrator did a FANTASTIC job....just pay attention to any TWs.
4⭐️
🎧
This was a very dark YA fantasy- dark enough that I was a little hesitant to keep listening as the FMC is constantly under threat of sexual violence from the main antagonist of the story. However, it did give me similar vibes to Princess Mononoke (which is my favorite Studio Ghibli film), so I pushed on. There are forest folk, and a strange new forest beast causing havoc, and a fun cast of characters. Overall I really enjoyed listening and the narrator did a FANTASTIC job....just pay attention to any TWs.
November 7, 2025
Wow.
This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read and I love it so much. The Hanging bones is a gothic fantasy based on German folklore and the plot is so unique. Our fmc is strong and independent, she almost reminded me of Jude Duarte in the way she would sacrifice anything for the people she loves. All the characters are beautifully written, and the folklore is easy to understand and well explained. I love fantasy books with folk in them and this book did not disappoint, give this a read when it gets published!! You won’t regret it :)
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins 🫶
This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read and I love it so much. The Hanging bones is a gothic fantasy based on German folklore and the plot is so unique. Our fmc is strong and independent, she almost reminded me of Jude Duarte in the way she would sacrifice anything for the people she loves. All the characters are beautifully written, and the folklore is easy to understand and well explained. I love fantasy books with folk in them and this book did not disappoint, give this a read when it gets published!! You won’t regret it :)
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins 🫶
May 18, 2026
5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!!
Folk horror fantasy!?! Seriously exactly what I was looking for from this read. Katrin is such a good FMC and I loved her drive to solve the mystery of the monster and to hunt the stag at the same time. I also loved the Aro representation in this one, as Katrin has no interest in a relationship.
The monster in this one was so interesting to me, collecting body parts from animals and humans to create its own body to become whole and become powerful.
This was incredible and I am so happy to have gotten the chance to read and be gifted this one.
Folk horror fantasy!?! Seriously exactly what I was looking for from this read. Katrin is such a good FMC and I loved her drive to solve the mystery of the monster and to hunt the stag at the same time. I also loved the Aro representation in this one, as Katrin has no interest in a relationship.
The monster in this one was so interesting to me, collecting body parts from animals and humans to create its own body to become whole and become powerful.
This was incredible and I am so happy to have gotten the chance to read and be gifted this one.
January 18, 2026
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC! A tense page-turner with a headstrong aro-ace protagonist and a truly vile antagonist, all wrapped up in a plot that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
May 25, 2026
A little too neat of an ending for me but eerie and haunting in the best way.
Did Not Finish
June 3, 2026Had potential but I was out of fucks with the world building by 50%
Review of advance copy
3.25 stars rounded down
My first read of 2026, and it was just fine.
(I was hoping for a stronger start to my 2026 reading year, but this book was okay.)
The beginning was rather slow for my liking, but I’m glad I pushed through. The pacing of the story felt a bit all over the place throughout—especially with some of the hunting scenes, they were rather slow—but I still enjoyed the story overall. I basically guessed the major plot twist with a certain character early on, but I still enjoyed reading.
When it came to the monster and the forest creatures, I was a bit let down, in that a lot of their scenes fell flat for me. And that’s a shame, because I was really looking forward to those elements going into the book.
I will say though that I liked all the characters, even if some of their personalities were a bit one note. I also appreciate the eerie forest vibes that were on display in this book. And this author is a very talented writer on a line level.
This is the second book I have read from this author (having read their debut as well), and I found this story to be better executed. But I still think there is room for improvement, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future to hopefully see such improvement.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
My first read of 2026, and it was just fine.
(I was hoping for a stronger start to my 2026 reading year, but this book was okay.)
The beginning was rather slow for my liking, but I’m glad I pushed through. The pacing of the story felt a bit all over the place throughout—especially with some of the hunting scenes, they were rather slow—but I still enjoyed the story overall. I basically guessed the major plot twist with a certain character early on, but I still enjoyed reading.
When it came to the monster and the forest creatures, I was a bit let down, in that a lot of their scenes fell flat for me. And that’s a shame, because I was really looking forward to those elements going into the book.
I will say though that I liked all the characters, even if some of their personalities were a bit one note. I also appreciate the eerie forest vibes that were on display in this book. And this author is a very talented writer on a line level.
This is the second book I have read from this author (having read their debut as well), and I found this story to be better executed. But I still think there is room for improvement, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future to hopefully see such improvement.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING:
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for providing me with a review copy via Netgalley! This has in no way influenced my reading experience or opinions.
I’m not sure how I missed this book being categorized as gothic, but it was… and YA too. I mostly had a great time, though. It has the creepy vibes gothic fans tend to look for. There’s an ungodly amount of bones, a phantom in the woods stealing vital organs, jumpscares were aplenty, and the themes were much better suited for mature readers. The Hanging Bones was darker and more macabre than I expected, but I’m not complaining. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be!
One of the things that I absolutely loved about the Hanging Bones was the rich worldbuilding. It’s not perfect, but the in-world folklore and fairytales kept me hooked. The book was also described as “steeped in Germanic folklore” and from what little I know about Germanic folklore, it sure is inspired by the horrors of them. A personal standout for me was the Wielinde Forest, and the Forest Folk that dwell in it fascinate me. I mean… feral mushroom goblins? Snow fays that give you frostbite? Bough spirits that lure unsuspecting travelers to be their spouses and damn them to their heart tree for all eternity? All of them love some bones? I was eating it all up!
I guess my only (very minor) complaint here is that the writing sounds a little too modern. It occasionally takes me out from fully immersing myself into the story. The writing style didn’t have the fairytale / folklore-ish vibes and different time period flavor I was hoping for. I also wished we had in-world slang, curse words, and rude gestures.
The premise of the Hanging Bones kind of reminds me of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft—and God knows how much I loved that book that I am still in dire need of similar books to fill the void years later. Both standalone dark fantasy books feature a legendary hunt for a mythical creature steeped in folklore, but that’s where the major similarities end.
I loved both books for different reasons. The Hanging Bones is not by any means a romantasy unlike the latter, but features a female main character on the ace spectrum, Katrin Regner. As someone who is aro-ace, it meant a lot to me to be represented by a phenomenal lead like Katrin! She is selfless, steadfast, and strong-willed. She loves her family fiercely and her determination to protect her loved ones is admirable. She stands up for what’s right (and I am so scared for her every time she does—this girl does not give a fuck). Her fears and fury towards men in power are unfortunately relatable. She is flawed and makes some questionable choices that’ll make you want to throttle her… but did I mention she also has the goodest dog named Rudi? If it isn’t clear yet, I love Katrin! She’s one of my comfort characters now.
Alma, Katrin’s cousin, was undoubtedly the heart and soul of the story. She’s like the Prim to Katrin’s Katniss. Their sisterhood was everything to me. I liked that she’s smart and very observant, and that there’s more to her than we’d initially give her credit for. I loved her character development towards the end.
Katrin’s dynamics with her uncle and father figure, Stefan, and the new gamekeeper, Elias, were likewise wholesome. Despite having limited appearances, Stefan was full of personality. I also loved Katrin and Elias’ friendship, how it remained that way, and how they looked out for each other throughout everything. I do wish we learned more about Elias, though. I didn’t think he was fully fleshed out (much like the rest of the cast), and I have so many unanswered questions about him.
And I wished we had seen more of Elias and Alma’s dynamics and relationship progression, but given the story, it only made sense their relationship didn’t take the spotlight lest they ruin the pacing. I’d take a bonus short story/novelette/novella about them, though!
Baron August Wagner III is a vile antagonist through and through. He’s like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast but worse by a lightyear! Every time he comes up or is mentioned, you’re given more reasons to root for his gruesome demise. He’s an evil, narcissistic, misogynistic, queerphobic, womanizer, abuser, and pedophile who revels in his power and ability to get away with his atrocities unscathed. Most fantasy books would’ve made him the love interest, but I’m soooo glad this book made it clear it’s not going that route. Katrin and Alma’s fantasy of hurling him off is a more valid and reasonable one than railing him. That man disgusts me immeasurably. Every time he comes up, I cringe, I shiver, I puke.
The female rage Katrin has towards him was understandable and justified. His pedophilic interest in Alma had me grossed out and stressed. I felt so furious and frustrated on their behalf because of that monster and his rich circle. Seeing Katrin finally snap was so satisfying and also scary. I mean the daily shit she has to deal with in that castle made me want to throw hands. She needs to set things on fire for real, not just shoot a gun. She was getting gaslit, falsely accused, and manipulated.
Actually, I’m surprised why there weren’t more folks who had a bone to pick against August and his rich circle joined the hunt to take him out. I also felt furious why the men working in the castle, knowing everything August had done, didn’t do more to stand up against him and protect their women. Meanwhile, here’s a young woman named Katrin making threats on his life because he looked at her cousin maliciously wrong. They really let him get away with anything. It made me so mad.
The Hanging Bones is a thrilling read. I had a hard time putting down this book. As the chapters went on, the stakes just kept getting bigger and bigger, and Katrin’s plans kept getting thwarted. It made me want to scream into my pillow and bite something. The plot twist was something I’ve partially seen coming, but did not unfold as expected. I was disappointed by how everything came together towards the end, considering how much I had big hopes for this book. Although I liked how things ended (all things considered), I didn’t like how everything was resolved almost conveniently. These are very minor and personal issues though! I’m sure most readers will find this book a compelling and enjoyable read as I did.
Overall, the Hanging Bones is a macabre tale with a lot of heart (and bones), a strong female lead, and a fascinating dark enchanted forest. This book put me through a lot of emotions. I definitely recommend it to fans of gothic fantasy and stories of female rage.
I’m not sure how I missed this book being categorized as gothic, but it was… and YA too. I mostly had a great time, though. It has the creepy vibes gothic fans tend to look for. There’s an ungodly amount of bones, a phantom in the woods stealing vital organs, jumpscares were aplenty, and the themes were much better suited for mature readers. The Hanging Bones was darker and more macabre than I expected, but I’m not complaining. I am exactly where I’m supposed to be!
One of the things that I absolutely loved about the Hanging Bones was the rich worldbuilding. It’s not perfect, but the in-world folklore and fairytales kept me hooked. The book was also described as “steeped in Germanic folklore” and from what little I know about Germanic folklore, it sure is inspired by the horrors of them. A personal standout for me was the Wielinde Forest, and the Forest Folk that dwell in it fascinate me. I mean… feral mushroom goblins? Snow fays that give you frostbite? Bough spirits that lure unsuspecting travelers to be their spouses and damn them to their heart tree for all eternity? All of them love some bones? I was eating it all up!
I guess my only (very minor) complaint here is that the writing sounds a little too modern. It occasionally takes me out from fully immersing myself into the story. The writing style didn’t have the fairytale / folklore-ish vibes and different time period flavor I was hoping for. I also wished we had in-world slang, curse words, and rude gestures.
The premise of the Hanging Bones kind of reminds me of A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft—and God knows how much I loved that book that I am still in dire need of similar books to fill the void years later. Both standalone dark fantasy books feature a legendary hunt for a mythical creature steeped in folklore, but that’s where the major similarities end.
I loved both books for different reasons. The Hanging Bones is not by any means a romantasy unlike the latter, but features a female main character on the ace spectrum, Katrin Regner. As someone who is aro-ace, it meant a lot to me to be represented by a phenomenal lead like Katrin! She is selfless, steadfast, and strong-willed. She loves her family fiercely and her determination to protect her loved ones is admirable. She stands up for what’s right (and I am so scared for her every time she does—this girl does not give a fuck). Her fears and fury towards men in power are unfortunately relatable. She is flawed and makes some questionable choices that’ll make you want to throttle her… but did I mention she also has the goodest dog named Rudi? If it isn’t clear yet, I love Katrin! She’s one of my comfort characters now.
Alma, Katrin’s cousin, was undoubtedly the heart and soul of the story. She’s like the Prim to Katrin’s Katniss. Their sisterhood was everything to me. I liked that she’s smart and very observant, and that there’s more to her than we’d initially give her credit for. I loved her character development towards the end.
Katrin’s dynamics with her uncle and father figure, Stefan, and the new gamekeeper, Elias, were likewise wholesome. Despite having limited appearances, Stefan was full of personality. I also loved Katrin and Elias’ friendship, how it remained that way, and how they looked out for each other throughout everything. I do wish we learned more about Elias, though. I didn’t think he was fully fleshed out (much like the rest of the cast), and I have so many unanswered questions about him.
And I wished we had seen more of Elias and Alma’s dynamics and relationship progression, but given the story, it only made sense their relationship didn’t take the spotlight lest they ruin the pacing. I’d take a bonus short story/novelette/novella about them, though!
Baron August Wagner III is a vile antagonist through and through. He’s like Gaston from Beauty and the Beast but worse by a lightyear! Every time he comes up or is mentioned, you’re given more reasons to root for his gruesome demise. He’s an evil, narcissistic, misogynistic, queerphobic, womanizer, abuser, and pedophile who revels in his power and ability to get away with his atrocities unscathed. Most fantasy books would’ve made him the love interest, but I’m soooo glad this book made it clear it’s not going that route. Katrin and Alma’s fantasy of hurling him off is a more valid and reasonable one than railing him. That man disgusts me immeasurably. Every time he comes up, I cringe, I shiver, I puke.
The female rage Katrin has towards him was understandable and justified. His pedophilic interest in Alma had me grossed out and stressed. I felt so furious and frustrated on their behalf because of that monster and his rich circle. Seeing Katrin finally snap was so satisfying and also scary. I mean the daily shit she has to deal with in that castle made me want to throw hands. She needs to set things on fire for real, not just shoot a gun. She was getting gaslit, falsely accused, and manipulated.
Actually, I’m surprised why there weren’t more folks who had a bone to pick against August and his rich circle joined the hunt to take him out. I also felt furious why the men working in the castle, knowing everything August had done, didn’t do more to stand up against him and protect their women. Meanwhile, here’s a young woman named Katrin making threats on his life because he looked at her cousin maliciously wrong. They really let him get away with anything. It made me so mad.
The Hanging Bones is a thrilling read. I had a hard time putting down this book. As the chapters went on, the stakes just kept getting bigger and bigger, and Katrin’s plans kept getting thwarted. It made me want to scream into my pillow and bite something. The plot twist was something I’ve partially seen coming, but did not unfold as expected. I was disappointed by how everything came together towards the end, considering how much I had big hopes for this book. Although I liked how things ended (all things considered), I didn’t like how everything was resolved almost conveniently. These are very minor and personal issues though! I’m sure most readers will find this book a compelling and enjoyable read as I did.
Overall, the Hanging Bones is a macabre tale with a lot of heart (and bones), a strong female lead, and a fascinating dark enchanted forest. This book put me through a lot of emotions. I definitely recommend it to fans of gothic fantasy and stories of female rage.
June 7, 2026
This was such an interesting story. I will say that it is a darker read, with the way the characters are treated by the baron who owns everything. He only cares about himself and doesn't understand what the sentence NO means. TW for attempted assault and attempted threats against the dog. I found the characters to be well-written. I was intrigued by their stories. Katrin is the FMC who protects her family to the best of her abilities. I did find it frustrating that most of the men in the book would not protect the women from the baron. They knew what kind of things he was into, but they turned a blind eye. It shouldn't have taken a young lady to put the baron in his place. I'm just saying. But I know that was the point of the story. I would recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Tesch, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley, Elle Tesch, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2026
Now this is how horror and fantasy should coexist. The Hanging Bones is the perfect amount of scary, disgusting, and fantastical world building.
Katrin is a gamekeeper near the border of a mysterious forest where the Folk live. She works for a ruthless, slimy baron that demands total control. Katrin has no issue letting the baron and his wealthy friends participate in the Breimar Hunt- a competition to catch the illusive Breimar stag. If caught, the hunter can claim the death of anyone they want. Katrin decides to enter the hunt to protect her family. The woods hide more than expected.
The story makes plain the horrors of a society run by rich men. The baron is, quite literally, the worst. I enjoyed the other characters. Katrin is the embodiment of determination. The narrator was fantastic!!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC
Katrin is a gamekeeper near the border of a mysterious forest where the Folk live. She works for a ruthless, slimy baron that demands total control. Katrin has no issue letting the baron and his wealthy friends participate in the Breimar Hunt- a competition to catch the illusive Breimar stag. If caught, the hunter can claim the death of anyone they want. Katrin decides to enter the hunt to protect her family. The woods hide more than expected.
The story makes plain the horrors of a society run by rich men. The baron is, quite literally, the worst. I enjoyed the other characters. Katrin is the embodiment of determination. The narrator was fantastic!!
Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC
May 24, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm sorry this is late for publication day, but I loved this! Even amidst the chaos of graduation and the pressure of like 11 ARCs due in June, I knew there was no way I was DNFing this.
The pros: First and foremost, I love Katrin. (Could I, 1st Person hater, have lived with this not being in 1st Person? 100%. But that's besides the point.) I love how this is still a YA novel but does not shy away from the horrible things she's going through. I mean that about the nature of the hunt, the gorey horror of the mystery beast, and, most of all, the sexual harrassment (and threat of full-on assault) from August. I love how angry she is, how determined she is to protect her family and end the horrors August has put everyone through. It is an incredibly compelling story, and Katrin is the perfect character to spearhead it. I also love all the other characters! Alma is so sweet but she's also very much her own character and not just some damsel/reason to push Katrin forward. Elias is such a great friend to Katrin, I love how their reactions never feel romantic in tone, and I think he and Alma are very cute with each other. Stefan is a wonderful mentor and father-figure, Rudi is the best dog, and all the moments with the castle staff are so homely. On the flipside, the visiting nobles are wonderfully annoying, and I love that they range from just mild dickery to straight-up malicious. And August, of course, is a fantastic villain. I hate him, I love that he is not stupid, I love those rare times where he even sounds reasonable. I love to hate him. The world is also so immersive with the Forest Folk, Prauen, the technology level, the Hunt and the Stag!!! I had such a wonderful time living in this world with them all. Also, shoutout to the queerness! There's a nonbinary knight, one of the nobles is a lesbian, this is all treated as normal. And the star queer rep is, of course, Katrin herself. Aroace queen!!! The aro and ace spectrums are so little represented in media, and it was so wonderful to see the identity done some respect, and how it interacted with the harrassment she faced from August. There was a part of me that kept getting worried that she would somehow get with someone by the end (no indication from that on the writing, I think I was just afraid it was too good to be true), but that did not happen. Katrin ends the story with people she loves in every way but romantic.
The cons: I think all my problems come down to two things: the pacing and the ending. The novel takes place over the course of about two weeks, but it's really only over the course of I think six days? I think it's meant to feel like time passes without plot, like real life, but it just kind of makes the setup feel pointless. As for the ending overall, I'm torn. On one hand, I love these characters and I want good things for them. On the other hand, it kind of feels like the author is afraid of having a bittersweeting ending. I don't want to say that nothing bad happens to Katrin or anything - the whole premise is that she and her cousin are being preyed upon and sexually threatened - and I can't really explain further without spoiling anything, but it just kind of feels like the author wanted everything tied up in a bow. Also there are several elements of the finale that are just fully not foreshadowed at all and it feels kind of cheap to introduce them so late. Also, random note, I believe Alma is meant to be mixed-race? There's a line in the last 25% that says her mother (Carolina) has locs, so I assume she's meant to be Black? And I swear that was never mentioned before then lmao. Obviously I have no problem with the representation, I just think it could've been made a little clearer and seen more throughout the book.
Overall, I loved it! I've wanted to check out this author's other book and now I will definitely do so!
I'm sorry this is late for publication day, but I loved this! Even amidst the chaos of graduation and the pressure of like 11 ARCs due in June, I knew there was no way I was DNFing this.
The pros: First and foremost, I love Katrin. (Could I, 1st Person hater, have lived with this not being in 1st Person? 100%. But that's besides the point.) I love how this is still a YA novel but does not shy away from the horrible things she's going through. I mean that about the nature of the hunt, the gorey horror of the mystery beast, and, most of all, the sexual harrassment (and threat of full-on assault) from August. I love how angry she is, how determined she is to protect her family and end the horrors August has put everyone through. It is an incredibly compelling story, and Katrin is the perfect character to spearhead it. I also love all the other characters! Alma is so sweet but she's also very much her own character and not just some damsel/reason to push Katrin forward. Elias is such a great friend to Katrin, I love how their reactions never feel romantic in tone, and I think he and Alma are very cute with each other. Stefan is a wonderful mentor and father-figure, Rudi is the best dog, and all the moments with the castle staff are so homely. On the flipside, the visiting nobles are wonderfully annoying, and I love that they range from just mild dickery to straight-up malicious. And August, of course, is a fantastic villain. I hate him, I love that he is not stupid, I love those rare times where he even sounds reasonable. I love to hate him. The world is also so immersive with the Forest Folk, Prauen, the technology level, the Hunt and the Stag!!! I had such a wonderful time living in this world with them all. Also, shoutout to the queerness! There's a nonbinary knight, one of the nobles is a lesbian, this is all treated as normal. And the star queer rep is, of course, Katrin herself. Aroace queen!!! The aro and ace spectrums are so little represented in media, and it was so wonderful to see the identity done some respect, and how it interacted with the harrassment she faced from August. There was a part of me that kept getting worried that she would somehow get with someone by the end (no indication from that on the writing, I think I was just afraid it was too good to be true), but that did not happen. Katrin ends the story with people she loves in every way but romantic.
The cons: I think all my problems come down to two things: the pacing and the ending. The novel takes place over the course of about two weeks, but it's really only over the course of I think six days? I think it's meant to feel like time passes without plot, like real life, but it just kind of makes the setup feel pointless. As for the ending overall, I'm torn. On one hand, I love these characters and I want good things for them. On the other hand, it kind of feels like the author is afraid of having a bittersweeting ending. I don't want to say that nothing bad happens to Katrin or anything - the whole premise is that she and her cousin are being preyed upon and sexually threatened - and I can't really explain further without spoiling anything, but it just kind of feels like the author wanted everything tied up in a bow. Also there are several elements of the finale that are just fully not foreshadowed at all and it feels kind of cheap to introduce them so late. Also, random note, I believe Alma is meant to be mixed-race? There's a line in the last 25% that says her mother (Carolina) has locs, so I assume she's meant to be Black? And I swear that was never mentioned before then lmao. Obviously I have no problem with the representation, I just think it could've been made a little clearer and seen more throughout the book.
Overall, I loved it! I've wanted to check out this author's other book and now I will definitely do so!
November 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“The Hanging Bones” by Elle Tesch is a haunting and gorgeously atmospheric gothic fantasy inspired by German folklore; this is a tale that blurs the line between human cruelty and supernatural horror, set in a world where the forest itself seems to breathe, hunger, and remember.
The story follows Katrin, a stoic young gamekeeper living in the isolated village of Wielinde, where bones hang from trees as offerings to the forest’s creatures. Katrin’s life is steeped in danger, from the fae-like beings that stalk the woods, to the human monsters in her own village. Her world begins to unravel when something starts stealing the bones and organs of animals and then people while they are still alive. As the Scavenge Moon approaches, bringing with it the legendary hunt for the Breimar Stag, Katrin finds herself drawn into a dark web of vengeance, corruption, and secrets buried deep in both soil and soul.
Tesch’s writing is vivid and sensory, full of blood, mud, and moonlight. The setting is one of the story’s greatest strengths: claustrophobic and richly textured, a small, superstitious community surrounded by a forest that feels alive. You can almost smell the damp moss and hear the whisper of hanging bones in the wind. The descriptions are graphic (at times almost unbearably so) with detailed depictions of gore and violence that make this very much an upper YA or even adult fantasy. Themes of sexual assault and patriarchal power are woven throughout, particularly in the subplot involving the vile and untouchable Baron, whose cruelty rivals that of the monsters beyond the walls.
Katrin herself is a remarkable protagonist: asexual, aromantic, fiercely protective of her family, and unafraid to make brutal choices when survival demands it. Her character arc is one of love — not romantic, but deeply familial and moral — and the absence of a love story allows space for a powerful exploration of friendship and loyalty, especially through her growing bond with Elias, the new gamewarden. You will find her courage and quiet rage both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The story does take its time building tension and atmosphere before the hunt begins. The beginning was a bit slow and the world a bit confined, but once the action starts, “The Hanging Bones” becomes a darkly thrilling ride of revenge and redemption. The climactic sequence, which is tied to the Scavenge Moon and the myth of the Breimar Stag, delivers in both suspense and emotional payoff. The ending, filled with long-awaited vengeance and bittersweet peace, is as satisfying as it is shocking.
Tesch also deserves praise for her folkloric worldbuilding. The combination of magic, myth, and moral ambiguity feels organic, like a story passed down by villagers gathered around a winter fire. The creatures of the forest are terrifying yet strangely sacred, embodying the book’s recurring question: Who is the true monster — the beast, or the man who hunts it?
Overall, “The Hanging Bones” is a gothic fantasy that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. With lush prose, morally complex characters, and a protagonist unlike any other in YA fantasy, this is one of the best books I’ve read recently. This is a chilling, folklore-infused fantasy where the monsters wear both crowns and claws and vengeance tastes like blood and home.
“The Hanging Bones” by Elle Tesch is a haunting and gorgeously atmospheric gothic fantasy inspired by German folklore; this is a tale that blurs the line between human cruelty and supernatural horror, set in a world where the forest itself seems to breathe, hunger, and remember.
The story follows Katrin, a stoic young gamekeeper living in the isolated village of Wielinde, where bones hang from trees as offerings to the forest’s creatures. Katrin’s life is steeped in danger, from the fae-like beings that stalk the woods, to the human monsters in her own village. Her world begins to unravel when something starts stealing the bones and organs of animals and then people while they are still alive. As the Scavenge Moon approaches, bringing with it the legendary hunt for the Breimar Stag, Katrin finds herself drawn into a dark web of vengeance, corruption, and secrets buried deep in both soil and soul.
Tesch’s writing is vivid and sensory, full of blood, mud, and moonlight. The setting is one of the story’s greatest strengths: claustrophobic and richly textured, a small, superstitious community surrounded by a forest that feels alive. You can almost smell the damp moss and hear the whisper of hanging bones in the wind. The descriptions are graphic (at times almost unbearably so) with detailed depictions of gore and violence that make this very much an upper YA or even adult fantasy. Themes of sexual assault and patriarchal power are woven throughout, particularly in the subplot involving the vile and untouchable Baron, whose cruelty rivals that of the monsters beyond the walls.
Katrin herself is a remarkable protagonist: asexual, aromantic, fiercely protective of her family, and unafraid to make brutal choices when survival demands it. Her character arc is one of love — not romantic, but deeply familial and moral — and the absence of a love story allows space for a powerful exploration of friendship and loyalty, especially through her growing bond with Elias, the new gamewarden. You will find her courage and quiet rage both heartbreaking and inspiring.
The story does take its time building tension and atmosphere before the hunt begins. The beginning was a bit slow and the world a bit confined, but once the action starts, “The Hanging Bones” becomes a darkly thrilling ride of revenge and redemption. The climactic sequence, which is tied to the Scavenge Moon and the myth of the Breimar Stag, delivers in both suspense and emotional payoff. The ending, filled with long-awaited vengeance and bittersweet peace, is as satisfying as it is shocking.
Tesch also deserves praise for her folkloric worldbuilding. The combination of magic, myth, and moral ambiguity feels organic, like a story passed down by villagers gathered around a winter fire. The creatures of the forest are terrifying yet strangely sacred, embodying the book’s recurring question: Who is the true monster — the beast, or the man who hunts it?
Overall, “The Hanging Bones” is a gothic fantasy that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. With lush prose, morally complex characters, and a protagonist unlike any other in YA fantasy, this is one of the best books I’ve read recently. This is a chilling, folklore-infused fantasy where the monsters wear both crowns and claws and vengeance tastes like blood and home.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
We need more protagonists with loyal dog sidekicks ASAP.
The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone perfect for fans of Emily Lloyd-Jones and C.G. Drews. I picked this book up because I've been in the mood for dark forest fantasies lately, and it seemed to have a bit of a mystery subplot, but once I started, it became clear how similar it was to some of my new favorites this year, so I was immediately entranced by the vibes. I also read Elle Tesch's other book, What Wakes the Bells recently, and having read both, I can say I will continue to read her books in the future because she has a strong voice and a way with creating gothic atmospheres.
Every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises, and the hunt for the Breimar Stag begins. Hunters can choose to pursue the Stag in exchange for the death of another of their choosing, but should all adventurers fail to catch the Stag, it will kill one of them instead. Katrin is a gamekeeper, meaning she's supposed to escort the noble hunters through the forest, but after the baron she works for starts turning his vile interests toward her cousin, Katrin decides to join the hunt herself with the hopes of ending the baron's disgusting pursuits once and for all. But there's something different about this hunt, and when mutilated bodies of both animals and people begin appearing, Katrin must investigate why. Though the plot of the story takes a bit to get into, once you hit the 1/3 mark, it becomes more suspenseful. There are a few lore dump spots throughout the book, but overall, I didn't mind the pacing too much. I liked the balance of fantasy and mystery elements, although I think if you're going into this expecting a plot based mostly on the hunt itself, you might be disappointed. I predicted both main plot twists, but both were foreshadowed just enough to allow me to create the theories without being overly obvious. The ending did feel a bit rushed, but I was satisfied with how it left off. I think it works well as a standalone, and it reminded me a lot of The Wild Huntress, which I really enjoyed as well.
Books where the protagonist has an animal sidekick are amazing. I liked Katrin a lot as the FMC; I appreciated the aroace rep and found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. She has enough spark to be fun to follow while also containing enough emotion to make the reader connect to her. I particularly loved the relationship between Katrin and Rudi, her dog. They love each other so much, and it's wonderful to see a dog sidekick in fantasy. The side characters weren't as fleshed out as Katrin, but I liked how the dynamics between them were portrayed in a way that made it clear that Katrin can experience love beyond romance. I liked how she and Alma saw each other as sisters, and I also really like how her friendship with Elias was clearly just that: friendship. I loved seeing all of the characters interact and how Katrin's identity didn't isolate her. Even though the cast isn't as complex as they could be, they're wholesome together, and I liked the vibes of their dynamics a lot.
The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone, perfect for fans of C.G. Drews (specifically Don't Let the Forest In), Emily Lloyd-Jones (specifically The Wild Huntress), and Hanna Howard's Our Divine Mischief.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone perfect for fans of Emily Lloyd-Jones and C.G. Drews. I picked this book up because I've been in the mood for dark forest fantasies lately, and it seemed to have a bit of a mystery subplot, but once I started, it became clear how similar it was to some of my new favorites this year, so I was immediately entranced by the vibes. I also read Elle Tesch's other book, What Wakes the Bells recently, and having read both, I can say I will continue to read her books in the future because she has a strong voice and a way with creating gothic atmospheres.
Every few years, the Scavenge Moon rises, and the hunt for the Breimar Stag begins. Hunters can choose to pursue the Stag in exchange for the death of another of their choosing, but should all adventurers fail to catch the Stag, it will kill one of them instead. Katrin is a gamekeeper, meaning she's supposed to escort the noble hunters through the forest, but after the baron she works for starts turning his vile interests toward her cousin, Katrin decides to join the hunt herself with the hopes of ending the baron's disgusting pursuits once and for all. But there's something different about this hunt, and when mutilated bodies of both animals and people begin appearing, Katrin must investigate why. Though the plot of the story takes a bit to get into, once you hit the 1/3 mark, it becomes more suspenseful. There are a few lore dump spots throughout the book, but overall, I didn't mind the pacing too much. I liked the balance of fantasy and mystery elements, although I think if you're going into this expecting a plot based mostly on the hunt itself, you might be disappointed. I predicted both main plot twists, but both were foreshadowed just enough to allow me to create the theories without being overly obvious. The ending did feel a bit rushed, but I was satisfied with how it left off. I think it works well as a standalone, and it reminded me a lot of The Wild Huntress, which I really enjoyed as well.
Books where the protagonist has an animal sidekick are amazing. I liked Katrin a lot as the FMC; I appreciated the aroace rep and found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. She has enough spark to be fun to follow while also containing enough emotion to make the reader connect to her. I particularly loved the relationship between Katrin and Rudi, her dog. They love each other so much, and it's wonderful to see a dog sidekick in fantasy. The side characters weren't as fleshed out as Katrin, but I liked how the dynamics between them were portrayed in a way that made it clear that Katrin can experience love beyond romance. I liked how she and Alma saw each other as sisters, and I also really like how her friendship with Elias was clearly just that: friendship. I loved seeing all of the characters interact and how Katrin's identity didn't isolate her. Even though the cast isn't as complex as they could be, they're wholesome together, and I liked the vibes of their dynamics a lot.
The Hanging Bones is a YA gothic fantasy standalone, perfect for fans of C.G. Drews (specifically Don't Let the Forest In), Emily Lloyd-Jones (specifically The Wild Huntress), and Hanna Howard's Our Divine Mischief.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!
4/5
May 7, 2026
I loved Tesch's debut novel, and I loved this sophomore novel, too!
The Hanging Bones is a thrilling, dark fantasy about Katrin, a gamekeeper at a castle that sits on the edge of a forest filled with the Folk. Katrin knows how to handle the bloodthirsty Folk of the forest, but the humans in the castle--particularly the new baron--are a much bigger problem. This year brings about the Breimar Hunt, where nobles enter the hunt for the Breimar Stag for the chance to kill one person of their choosing. When the baron sets his lecherous sights on her cousin, Katrin decides to enter the hunt herself, but she soon finds herself hunting not only the stag, but the murderous monster that has been unleashed in the forest. The Hanging Bones is filled with familial loyalty, creepy creatures, and a heroine who refuses to quit.
I really, really enjoyed this read! Not exactly the vibes I usually go for in the middle of May, but that didn't matter in light of the story's amazingness! The world-building is truly amazing. Despite not truly understanding the forest or all the creatures (are they only in this forest, or every forest?), there's such a sense of foreboding yet reverence surrounding the forest, and the imagery of hanging bones and trees cracking open to pull in unsuspecting men to be the tree spirit's husband was gruesome but so vivid. Everything about the forest felt so developed, and despite the story taking place in one setting, I was far from bored with the location!
The characters are also great. Katrin is the perfect heroine: capable, determined, loving, and clever. She knows how to handle her business, and she's not afraid to go all out to protect those she cares for. So when her cousin, Alma, is threatened, it makes perfect sense for Alma to enter the hunt to end the baron's life. And speaking of the baron, Tesch does a fantastic job of writing a truly horrible individual. He was so incredibly entitled and creepy and lecherous, but he's the baron, so he doesn't have to hear the word "no." His actions are truly villainous, and there were truly tense moments in his scenes. Alma, Elias, and Stefan are great secondary characters; they're all their own people, and they really add to the story. I initially thought Elias was going to be a bad guy, and while he was involved in some twists, I liked the way his story played out.
And the folklore! The monster was truly horrific, and every scene where they'd find a new victim made my skin crawl. Made me think of The Mummy in the best way. I loved getting the story of the creature and seeing it get closer and closer to its goal, and while there was an unexpected twist with the monster at the end, I really loved how his story finished. Definitely Brothers Grimm vibes, but with a happier ending.
The Hanging Bones is another unique and wonderful offering from Tesch and would make the perfect read for spooky season!
The Hanging Bones is a thrilling, dark fantasy about Katrin, a gamekeeper at a castle that sits on the edge of a forest filled with the Folk. Katrin knows how to handle the bloodthirsty Folk of the forest, but the humans in the castle--particularly the new baron--are a much bigger problem. This year brings about the Breimar Hunt, where nobles enter the hunt for the Breimar Stag for the chance to kill one person of their choosing. When the baron sets his lecherous sights on her cousin, Katrin decides to enter the hunt herself, but she soon finds herself hunting not only the stag, but the murderous monster that has been unleashed in the forest. The Hanging Bones is filled with familial loyalty, creepy creatures, and a heroine who refuses to quit.
I really, really enjoyed this read! Not exactly the vibes I usually go for in the middle of May, but that didn't matter in light of the story's amazingness! The world-building is truly amazing. Despite not truly understanding the forest or all the creatures (are they only in this forest, or every forest?), there's such a sense of foreboding yet reverence surrounding the forest, and the imagery of hanging bones and trees cracking open to pull in unsuspecting men to be the tree spirit's husband was gruesome but so vivid. Everything about the forest felt so developed, and despite the story taking place in one setting, I was far from bored with the location!
The characters are also great. Katrin is the perfect heroine: capable, determined, loving, and clever. She knows how to handle her business, and she's not afraid to go all out to protect those she cares for. So when her cousin, Alma, is threatened, it makes perfect sense for Alma to enter the hunt to end the baron's life. And speaking of the baron, Tesch does a fantastic job of writing a truly horrible individual. He was so incredibly entitled and creepy and lecherous, but he's the baron, so he doesn't have to hear the word "no." His actions are truly villainous, and there were truly tense moments in his scenes. Alma, Elias, and Stefan are great secondary characters; they're all their own people, and they really add to the story. I initially thought Elias was going to be a bad guy, and while he was involved in some twists, I liked the way his story played out.
And the folklore! The monster was truly horrific, and every scene where they'd find a new victim made my skin crawl. Made me think of The Mummy in the best way. I loved getting the story of the creature and seeing it get closer and closer to its goal, and while there was an unexpected twist with the monster at the end, I really loved how his story finished. Definitely Brothers Grimm vibes, but with a happier ending.
The Hanging Bones is another unique and wonderful offering from Tesch and would make the perfect read for spooky season!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5⭐️ rounded up. Thank you NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for the ARC.
If you're looking to hand a book to a teen that already loves and is familiar with horror reads, I think this is a great choice: eerie forest vibes and a mythical monster stalking for body parts which imposes a tense deadline as our characters need to stop it from getting all that it needs. It's also rather gorey and violent with the dead animals/victims of said monster, but of course at a level suitable for its target demographic in my opinion.
That said, I will advise for the potentially triggering content: the main villain to our protag Katrin is her employer, Baron August, who has a history of sexually harassing and raping his employees; one of whom had to leave her job after she is impregnated for her safety and later on is said to have had her pregnancy terminated. The rape is only recounted by her mother; not explicitly described nor shown. The sexual harassment comes in the form of nonconsensual touching and talk of corrective rape (a threat made towards Katrin who is aroace, and a ""joke"" to a lesbian-coded side character).
Overall, this is a solid read for author Elle Tesch's sophomore novel and my first time reading one of her works. The prose is atmospheric and unsettling. The folklore surrounding the forest that led to specific rituals carried out to keep the forest creatures placated and at bay is interesting. Baron August's shitty attitude towards Katrin being aroace seem to be an outlier, as the society as a whole looks to be queernormative, what with everyone else not questioning Katrin's asexuality and same-sex partnerships are just casually being mentioned as merely existing. And on that note, Katrin is also a protag worth rooting for, what with her love for her family including her co-workers, even at the expense of her life and safety.
Sharp readers will likely suspect a certain character's involvement in the monster's appearance in the first place. That part was obvious to me, but I liked that Tesch subverted my expectations with regards to the motive and how the plot with the monster was ultimately resolved. The ending was delightfully heartwarming and very much hopeful, which feels earned after the terrors that Katrin and her chosen family had been put through by the monster threat and worse, their employer. Seriously, fuck August and he got what was coming to him. Very much a "sometimes the true monster is human all along" message.
If you're looking to hand a book to a teen that already loves and is familiar with horror reads, I think this is a great choice: eerie forest vibes and a mythical monster stalking for body parts which imposes a tense deadline as our characters need to stop it from getting all that it needs. It's also rather gorey and violent with the dead animals/victims of said monster, but of course at a level suitable for its target demographic in my opinion.
That said, I will advise for the potentially triggering content: the main villain to our protag Katrin is her employer, Baron August, who has a history of sexually harassing and raping his employees; one of whom had to leave her job after she is impregnated for her safety and later on is said to have had her pregnancy terminated. The rape is only recounted by her mother; not explicitly described nor shown. The sexual harassment comes in the form of nonconsensual touching and talk of corrective rape (a threat made towards Katrin who is aroace, and a ""joke"" to a lesbian-coded side character).
"My attraction to him does not exist. Nor does it to anyone else, for that matter. It's a fact about myself as irrefutable as stating it snows in winter and lichen nyxes can fly. Romance, attraction—it's never ignited within me the way Alma describes it from the romance novels she steals from Aunt Carolina. I even enjoy reading them after her, but I've never turned the last page and wanted what the heroines found. And I don't think I ever will. Family is family, friends are friends, and that's all the love my heart needs to feel full."
Overall, this is a solid read for author Elle Tesch's sophomore novel and my first time reading one of her works. The prose is atmospheric and unsettling. The folklore surrounding the forest that led to specific rituals carried out to keep the forest creatures placated and at bay is interesting. Baron August's shitty attitude towards Katrin being aroace seem to be an outlier, as the society as a whole looks to be queernormative, what with everyone else not questioning Katrin's asexuality and same-sex partnerships are just casually being mentioned as merely existing. And on that note, Katrin is also a protag worth rooting for, what with her love for her family including her co-workers, even at the expense of her life and safety.
Sharp readers will likely suspect a certain character's involvement in the monster's appearance in the first place. That part was obvious to me, but I liked that Tesch subverted my expectations with regards to the motive and how the plot with the monster was ultimately resolved. The ending was delightfully heartwarming and very much hopeful, which feels earned after the terrors that Katrin and her chosen family had been put through by the monster threat and worse, their employer. Seriously, fuck August and he got what was coming to him. Very much a "sometimes the true monster is human all along" message.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Within the Wielinde Forest are all sorts of creatures that the people of Prauen have learned to be wary of. They hold a tenuous peace with the Fair Folk they do not take from the forest without absolutely needing to, they give back what they do not need and they keep teeth with them to appease the folk.
It is time for the Scavenge Moon when the Breimar Stag will cross the veil into Wielinde Forest and after the Scavenge Moon completely passes the Stag will claim a life unless its life is forfeit. If its life is lost then a death of any chosen person will be granted to the person who claims the Stag.
This year Katrin is determined to enter into the hunt to save the lives of those she loves from August, The Baron of Prauen. Katrin has lived her entire life on the outskirts of Wielinde Forest growing up on tales of The Folk who live there. She knows that if she enters the hunt with her blood she will be bound by the same rules as The Baron and all the other high class members that come every Scavenge Moon with no understanding of what they partake in. Once bound nothing but the forest can harm the participants and at the end if the stag lives any of them are able to be taken by him.
It's worth the risk for Katrin as The Baron has finally noticed her cousin Alma and he has promised to corner Katrin sometime and show her what she is missing by not being interested in men or women. August has a taste for males and females, willing or not and many have fled Prauen since she took over from his father. Him noticing Alma is the last straw for Katrin and she will find a way to rid their home of him.
What she doesn’t expect is for one of the forest's darker stories to take form in the midst of the hunt. With the arrival of a stranger named Elias there seems to be an arrival of something much darker and deadlier. There is a tale of the King of Wielinde Forest who was stripped and banished by the Fair Folk but if his name is spoken thrice he will return and begin hunting to restore his body and take back his rightful place.
The body of a large bear still alive even though all of its bones have been removed petrifies Katrin and the others present and signals that something else is now stalking Wielinde Forset and Prauen. Will Katrin be able to hunt down the Briemar Stag while also finding a way to stop this monster and keep Alma safe from the very human monster that is after her.
#TheHangingBones by #ElleTesch is an amazing book full of fantasy and horror combined. Unfortunetly the horror is the very real things that humans can do to one another with no regard for the outcome.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read this amazing gothic fantasy novel that just hits the spot!
It is time for the Scavenge Moon when the Breimar Stag will cross the veil into Wielinde Forest and after the Scavenge Moon completely passes the Stag will claim a life unless its life is forfeit. If its life is lost then a death of any chosen person will be granted to the person who claims the Stag.
This year Katrin is determined to enter into the hunt to save the lives of those she loves from August, The Baron of Prauen. Katrin has lived her entire life on the outskirts of Wielinde Forest growing up on tales of The Folk who live there. She knows that if she enters the hunt with her blood she will be bound by the same rules as The Baron and all the other high class members that come every Scavenge Moon with no understanding of what they partake in. Once bound nothing but the forest can harm the participants and at the end if the stag lives any of them are able to be taken by him.
It's worth the risk for Katrin as The Baron has finally noticed her cousin Alma and he has promised to corner Katrin sometime and show her what she is missing by not being interested in men or women. August has a taste for males and females, willing or not and many have fled Prauen since she took over from his father. Him noticing Alma is the last straw for Katrin and she will find a way to rid their home of him.
What she doesn’t expect is for one of the forest's darker stories to take form in the midst of the hunt. With the arrival of a stranger named Elias there seems to be an arrival of something much darker and deadlier. There is a tale of the King of Wielinde Forest who was stripped and banished by the Fair Folk but if his name is spoken thrice he will return and begin hunting to restore his body and take back his rightful place.
The body of a large bear still alive even though all of its bones have been removed petrifies Katrin and the others present and signals that something else is now stalking Wielinde Forset and Prauen. Will Katrin be able to hunt down the Briemar Stag while also finding a way to stop this monster and keep Alma safe from the very human monster that is after her.
#TheHangingBones by #ElleTesch is an amazing book full of fantasy and horror combined. Unfortunetly the horror is the very real things that humans can do to one another with no regard for the outcome.
Thank you to #Netgalley for the chance to read this amazing gothic fantasy novel that just hits the spot!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 🐧🐧🐧🐧.25/5
Quick Reasons: lush, atmospheric prose; dark academia meets monster hunter vibes; realistic, flawed characters; enchanting, hidden forest setting; these fae folk are dangerous; ace representation
Huge thanks to Elle Tesch, Fiewell & Friends/ MacMillan Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
“Why would you let that stop you? All you need is a heart, and it’s right there.”
“Yes, I am aware.” A hint of annoyance enters its patronizing tone. “But of everything, I must have a willing soul.”
“None of your pieces match and that’s what you’re picky about?”
This book is dark academia meets monster hunters in all the best ways. The prose is dark and Gothic, filled to the brim with atmosphere and lush details. This is fast paced and intriguing from the start, dropping us straight into a world of fae creatures and human flaws. But there's a bit of a "secret forest" vibe to this as well-- those who live on the fringes of this forest know of the dangers lurking within, but there's a sense of these things being hidden or hushed to those outside the scope.
The characters are realistic, human and flawed, messy and redeemable. It was only too easy to root for the main characters and loathe entirely the villain. The message, also, is well crafted--a call to be open minded to things you may not understand. A reminder that sometimes, the real monster is not a monster at all.
The wind takes a turn for the worse, silencing my argument. It shoves through the courtyard with a scream. Extinguishes multiple lanterns, knocks the empty bucket off the well’s lip with a loud splash, and forces Elena to slap a hand over her flat-brimmed hat to keep it in place.
When the mallard bone chimes come free of their hook and crash to the ground in a heap, setting Rudi off into a barking frenzy, it’s difficult not to see it as an omen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Gothic, dark academia read, and highly recommend it to lovers of young adult novels with lush, fae forest settings. The Breimar Stag has arrived and the hunt begins anew, Penguins. Whose life do you hold in your hands?
Quick Reasons: lush, atmospheric prose; dark academia meets monster hunter vibes; realistic, flawed characters; enchanting, hidden forest setting; these fae folk are dangerous; ace representation
Huge thanks to Elle Tesch, Fiewell & Friends/ MacMillan Publishing, and Netgalley for the ARC! This review is voluntarily written and in no way altered by this gesture.
“Why would you let that stop you? All you need is a heart, and it’s right there.”
“Yes, I am aware.” A hint of annoyance enters its patronizing tone. “But of everything, I must have a willing soul.”
“None of your pieces match and that’s what you’re picky about?”
This book is dark academia meets monster hunters in all the best ways. The prose is dark and Gothic, filled to the brim with atmosphere and lush details. This is fast paced and intriguing from the start, dropping us straight into a world of fae creatures and human flaws. But there's a bit of a "secret forest" vibe to this as well-- those who live on the fringes of this forest know of the dangers lurking within, but there's a sense of these things being hidden or hushed to those outside the scope.
The characters are realistic, human and flawed, messy and redeemable. It was only too easy to root for the main characters and loathe entirely the villain. The message, also, is well crafted--a call to be open minded to things you may not understand. A reminder that sometimes, the real monster is not a monster at all.
The wind takes a turn for the worse, silencing my argument. It shoves through the courtyard with a scream. Extinguishes multiple lanterns, knocks the empty bucket off the well’s lip with a loud splash, and forces Elena to slap a hand over her flat-brimmed hat to keep it in place.
When the mallard bone chimes come free of their hook and crash to the ground in a heap, setting Rudi off into a barking frenzy, it’s difficult not to see it as an omen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this Gothic, dark academia read, and highly recommend it to lovers of young adult novels with lush, fae forest settings. The Breimar Stag has arrived and the hunt begins anew, Penguins. Whose life do you hold in your hands?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One thing about me is I love a good gothic fantasy, and so when I saw this on Netgalley, I smashed that request button sooo fast. This book deals with a forest that requires gamekeepers like our main character, Katrin, to carry teeth to appease the forest’s fae, spirits and more. It was a perfect slightly creepy setting based on Germanic folklore.
While the worldbuilding was amazing, the story was very slow at the beginning and while the pace eventually picked up, I couldn’t seem to really settle into the book, and thought I might end up DNFing bc I just couldn’t get into it. Luckily, it was one of Libro.Fm’s ALCs for May, so I was able to do the audiobook. Once I started listening to it, I got much more into the story bc the narrator did a good job of making the slower parts still feel dynamic and giving the characters more distinction.
There are some gripes I have with the story that are MAJOR spoilers, but I’ll keep it vague—the plot felt predictable and also what felt like an emotional ending that I think rounded out the story was cheapened bc the author couldn’t commit to maintaining the high stakes of the plot.
The relationship between Katrin and Alma (her cousin/sister) was the best part of the book, very Katniss and Prim coded. Katrin’s aro/ace representation was awesome. I loved seeing a YA book that focused on familial love and loyalty (but the subplot romance we see snippets of between Alma and another character was so wholesome).
While this is a YA book, it does tackle some pretty dark stuff. The main antagonist is the baron Katrin works for as gamekeeper, and he is a MASSSIVE piece of shit. He is a predator who thinks the right man could “fix” Katrin’s asexuality and has run off many families that used to work for him because of his sexual advances toward young women that work in the castle. Pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth the whole book is vile. Please read with caution bc this book deals with pedophilia and sexual violence quite a bit because Katrin protecting her family and specifically her cousin from the baron is her central motivation.
Thank you to Elle Tesch, Feiwel & Friends, Netgalley, and Libro.Fm for providing me advance reader/listening copies in exchange for a honest review!
While the worldbuilding was amazing, the story was very slow at the beginning and while the pace eventually picked up, I couldn’t seem to really settle into the book, and thought I might end up DNFing bc I just couldn’t get into it. Luckily, it was one of Libro.Fm’s ALCs for May, so I was able to do the audiobook. Once I started listening to it, I got much more into the story bc the narrator did a good job of making the slower parts still feel dynamic and giving the characters more distinction.
There are some gripes I have with the story that are MAJOR spoilers, but I’ll keep it vague—the plot felt predictable and also what felt like an emotional ending that I think rounded out the story was cheapened bc the author couldn’t commit to maintaining the high stakes of the plot.
The relationship between Katrin and Alma (her cousin/sister) was the best part of the book, very Katniss and Prim coded. Katrin’s aro/ace representation was awesome. I loved seeing a YA book that focused on familial love and loyalty (but the subplot romance we see snippets of between Alma and another character was so wholesome).
While this is a YA book, it does tackle some pretty dark stuff. The main antagonist is the baron Katrin works for as gamekeeper, and he is a MASSSIVE piece of shit. He is a predator who thinks the right man could “fix” Katrin’s asexuality and has run off many families that used to work for him because of his sexual advances toward young women that work in the castle. Pretty much everything that comes out of his mouth the whole book is vile. Please read with caution bc this book deals with pedophilia and sexual violence quite a bit because Katrin protecting her family and specifically her cousin from the baron is her central motivation.
Thank you to Elle Tesch, Feiwel & Friends, Netgalley, and Libro.Fm for providing me advance reader/listening copies in exchange for a honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an arc. All opinions are my own.
★ Rating: 5/5
Genre: Gothic
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
Y'all this book is so awesome :] I am thrilled!
Okay so I love foresty horror, folklore reimaginings, and gothic fantasy, so I read a LOT of them. However, I've found that the vast majority are good, but tend to be a few inches off of a bullseye for me. But this book? didn't miss a single shot. The vibes are super immersive, and it leans into the gorey elements in a way that a lot of ya gothics often don't. And I really felt like at every turn Elle Tesch made the best possible plot decision. For example, when our protagonist Katrin mentioned that she's never been into anyone romantically, then went on a long paragraph describing Elias in pretty flattering detail, I was worried this would be one of those books where a female protagonist just needs to find "the one." But Katrin is actually aroace and she's portrayed in a way that feels so genuine.
I also loved how the baron was portrayed. He is so unforgivably evil, but I never felt like he crossed into cartoon supervillain territory. He feels like real man that could exist and that makes him so much more horrifying. I do feel like more could have been done with Felix's character, but I also think the book was great without.
Overall: I loved this so much, and I'm always thrilled to find books with ace or aro characters in them. They're still pretty hard to find, especially since a lot of people don't consider them as being lgbtq+. Obviously I also think this is a great book even for allo people will enjoy, but as someone aroace it hit extra hard.
Who I would recommend this to: I highly recommend this to anyone who loves forests, folk spirits, or gothic fantasy.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
★ Rating: 5/5
Genre: Gothic
Are There Gay People in this?*: ✅
Y'all this book is so awesome :] I am thrilled!
Okay so I love foresty horror, folklore reimaginings, and gothic fantasy, so I read a LOT of them. However, I've found that the vast majority are good, but tend to be a few inches off of a bullseye for me. But this book? didn't miss a single shot. The vibes are super immersive, and it leans into the gorey elements in a way that a lot of ya gothics often don't. And I really felt like at every turn Elle Tesch made the best possible plot decision. For example, when our protagonist Katrin mentioned that she's never been into anyone romantically, then went on a long paragraph describing Elias in pretty flattering detail, I was worried this would be one of those books where a female protagonist just needs to find "the one." But Katrin is actually aroace and she's portrayed in a way that feels so genuine.
I also loved how the baron was portrayed. He is so unforgivably evil, but I never felt like he crossed into cartoon supervillain territory. He feels like real man that could exist and that makes him so much more horrifying. I do feel like more could have been done with Felix's character, but I also think the book was great without.
Overall: I loved this so much, and I'm always thrilled to find books with ace or aro characters in them. They're still pretty hard to find, especially since a lot of people don't consider them as being lgbtq+. Obviously I also think this is a great book even for allo people will enjoy, but as someone aroace it hit extra hard.
Who I would recommend this to: I highly recommend this to anyone who loves forests, folk spirits, or gothic fantasy.
* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance
June 30, 2026
Review: 3.75 stars
Thank you Raincoast for this unexpected stunning finished copy.
In all honesty, this book was nowhere near the TBR list until Raincoast unexpectedly sent me a copy of it to read. Since the cover is intriguing on its own, I had to dive into it.
The story starts off slowly with the introduction of Katrin, who is a gamekeeper tasked to guide arrogant nobles on their quest to hunt for the elusive Breiner Stag, a hunt that takes place every few years. However, the plot thickens as there is something else out in the woods that might be hunting them instead and she also has the unwanted attention of her employer, the lecherous baron who refuses to leave her and her family alone.
The gothic atmospheric setting coupled with the visual depictions are amazing. I love the depictions of the Forest folklore of Weilinde forest and how the forest keeps itself in a fragile check and balance. And the pending elusive other is so interesting with a hint of scariness to it.
With a slow start, the story builds on the introduction of characters and the folklore leading to the hunt and the adventurous portion leading to an immersive and gripping story. I could not put the book down and had to continue reading. The story was intriguing with some unexpected turns along the way and the ending was very satisfying!
I love that Katrin is aromantic and has strong bonds of friendship with her cousin, Alma and the other gamekeeper, Elias. There was also a side plot of romance between Alma and Elias which is quite sweet to read. My only nitpick is I find Katrin’s character very contradicting. She comes off as this determined character and a fighter yet turns meek when confronted by the baron and also at times, she is just taking action for the sake of it. I also wish there was more build out to the villain of the story. While he had the dramatics of the villain, it would be nice to see what gets him ticking.
Overall, I did enjoy this book - it’s perfect if you are looking for a folklore gothic read with a hint of spookiness!
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